Consumer demands and packaging requirements, including an appetizing and fresh appearance during storage, maximum microbiological safety, no additives, and preservation of nutrients and flavors, are needed in the current entering fourth phase of the industrial revolution (Industry 4.0). The demand for packaged, frozen, and ready-to-eat food has significantly increased in recent years due to changing urban lifestyles and global population patterns.
Smart manufacturing processes and systems have received great attention through the latest innovations, ongoing efforts, and best practices. The idea of active, smart, and intelligent packaging is growing very fast, and the global market for smart packaging is expected to reach $26.7bn by 2024. Smart and intelligent packaging is used to extend shelf life, monitor freshness, display quality information, and improve product and customer safety. In addition, smart packaging offers new business opportunities based on digitization and thus fits into the broader realm of Industry 4.0.
Food waste is a global environmental issue, particularly in industrialized countries that heavily depend on pre-packaged foodstuffs. An increase in the use of active, smart, and intelligent packaging can minimize the environmental footprint of packaged food. These packaging systems aim to address food waste by preserving food quality while addressing food safety issues such as the prevention of food-borne diseases and chemical contamination. Moreover, Smart packaging systems have the potential to promote a circular bio-economy.
Researchers are invited to contribute to this Research Topic about the trends in emerging active, smart, and intelligent packaging solutions. A high skepticism regarding nanotechnology foods can be seen compared to nanotechnology food packaging, which is more accepted.
Active, smart, and intelligent packaging solutions are constantly expanding. This trend is driving emerging technologies for prolonging shelf life, such as gas scavengers, antioxidants, and antimicrobials. Packaging researchers and manufacturers are developing new solutions with different types of indicators that are very interesting in certain situations such as time/temperature, freshness, leaks, smart inks for:
- Active packaging: able to interact with the food to extend its life; contain additives inside the packaging (in a bag or on a label) that are released at the right time.
- Smart packaging: provide the consumer with useful information about the condition of the product. This ensures the quality and safety of their contents.
- Active and intelligent packaging: the combination of the two mentioned above, on one hand, serves to preserve the product and, on the other, indicates its condition.
- Developing new barrier and antimicrobial nanotechnological features for active, smart, and intelligent packaging.
Consumer demands and packaging requirements, including an appetizing and fresh appearance during storage, maximum microbiological safety, no additives, and preservation of nutrients and flavors, are needed in the current entering fourth phase of the industrial revolution (Industry 4.0). The demand for packaged, frozen, and ready-to-eat food has significantly increased in recent years due to changing urban lifestyles and global population patterns.
Smart manufacturing processes and systems have received great attention through the latest innovations, ongoing efforts, and best practices. The idea of active, smart, and intelligent packaging is growing very fast, and the global market for smart packaging is expected to reach $26.7bn by 2024. Smart and intelligent packaging is used to extend shelf life, monitor freshness, display quality information, and improve product and customer safety. In addition, smart packaging offers new business opportunities based on digitization and thus fits into the broader realm of Industry 4.0.
Food waste is a global environmental issue, particularly in industrialized countries that heavily depend on pre-packaged foodstuffs. An increase in the use of active, smart, and intelligent packaging can minimize the environmental footprint of packaged food. These packaging systems aim to address food waste by preserving food quality while addressing food safety issues such as the prevention of food-borne diseases and chemical contamination. Moreover, Smart packaging systems have the potential to promote a circular bio-economy.
Researchers are invited to contribute to this Research Topic about the trends in emerging active, smart, and intelligent packaging solutions. A high skepticism regarding nanotechnology foods can be seen compared to nanotechnology food packaging, which is more accepted.
Active, smart, and intelligent packaging solutions are constantly expanding. This trend is driving emerging technologies for prolonging shelf life, such as gas scavengers, antioxidants, and antimicrobials. Packaging researchers and manufacturers are developing new solutions with different types of indicators that are very interesting in certain situations such as time/temperature, freshness, leaks, smart inks for:
- Active packaging: able to interact with the food to extend its life; contain additives inside the packaging (in a bag or on a label) that are released at the right time.
- Smart packaging: provide the consumer with useful information about the condition of the product. This ensures the quality and safety of their contents.
- Active and intelligent packaging: the combination of the two mentioned above, on one hand, serves to preserve the product and, on the other, indicates its condition.
- Developing new barrier and antimicrobial nanotechnological features for active, smart, and intelligent packaging.
